200 staff face the axe after Powys County Council votes for budget cuts
Around 200 jobs will be lost at Powys County Council as the authority tries to save £30million in the next three years.
Council tax will also rise by 2.75 per cent – £25.75 a year on a band D property, taking the yearly bill to £962.11.
The full council met at County Hall in Llandrindod Wells yesterday to agree the budget for the forthcoming year.
Councillors said they hoped the jobs could be shed through retirements and voluntary redundancies. The job losses are expected to save £4.3million.
The council's ruling cabinet had proposed to slash community grants by 75 per cent and charge sixth formers for school transport, but, following objections, it will now cut community grants by 10 per cent (saving £146,000) and will hold further discussions on the school transport issue.
Councillor Kath Roberts-Jones, deputy leader of the Independent Alliance, said: "We remain gravely concerned about the cabinet's ability to achieve the savings and efficiencies."
Councillor John Morris, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrat group on the council, said he thought a reduction in the number of councillors from its current number of 73 should be considered.
The council currently has 5,000 full-time staff.
